Bersha's forced smile broke the tension. "It doesn't hurt much, right?"
"Ah… yes," Nunes replied, tilting her head in confusion.
Bersha subtly shook her head, signaling Nunes to stay quiet. The memory-erasing magic had ended, but the lost memories hadn't returned. Nunes tried to recall the events of that day, but her mind remained blank.
'Did the magic not work? And why did she shake her head?'
Nunes glanced at Jed, catching a silent exchange of looks between him and Bersha.
'What's going on? Did they get close already? When did that happen?'
Bersha, seemingly unaware of Nunes' confusion, placed her hand on Jed's head.
'Should I say the memories haven't returned?'
Before Nunes could speak, Bersha took the lead. "Your Majesty, the lost memories have been fully restored."
"Good work. Return to your post."
"Yes."
Bersha glanced at Nunes before leaving, her expression unreadable. Nunes was left utterly bewildered.
'What am I supposed to do? The memories didn't come back….'
With only Jed to rely on, Nunes couldn't ask for clarification under the Emperor's watchful gaze.
The Emperor's voice broke the silence. "Do you remember now?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I remember vividly," Jed replied confidently.
Nunes was stunned but kept her composure.
"Nunes Colt, do you also remember?"
Panic set in.
'What do I do now? Should I tell the truth? If I do, that woman will be in trouble. Why did they only restore Jed's memory?'
Countless questions swirled in Nunes' mind. A 9th-circle mage wouldn't make such a mistake. The exchange of glances between Jed and Bersha suggested it was deliberate.
'But I can't lie….'
With no other option, Nunes decided to follow Jed's lead.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke. "Yes! I remember!"
"Good to hear."
Nunes was shocked by her own words.
'Wow… the power of self-hypnosis is this great?'
Unaware that Bersha had lifted the "Pure Voice" spell, Nunes felt proud of herself.
The Emperor sighed deeply. "Jed Arahan, recount the events of that day."
"Yes, Your Majesty. That day, we stayed at the lodge waiting for the gate and didn't engage in any special activities."
"Is that so?"
Jed continued lying without batting an eye, leaving Nunes in awe.
'He's so shameless….'
The Emperor turned to Nunes. "Is Jed Arahan's statement true?"
"Yes. It was a very lazy day. We ate, slept, and lazed around. I suggested we go sightseeing, but this guy… I mean, Jed refused."
Nunes' lie flowed smoothly, and she felt a surge of confidence.
"Then who erased your memories? If they've returned, you should know their identity."
Nunes' confidence plummeted.
'How am I supposed to know who did it if I don't even remember?'
Before she could think of a response, Jed answered. "It was the Black Guard."
Nunes quickly chimed in. "Yes! It was the Black Guard."
The ministers murmured in disbelief.
'You just went along with it, but… isn't it bad to blame the Black Guard?'
Nunes had no idea what Jed was thinking but decided to follow his lead.
The Emperor's tone grew stern. "Why would the Black Guard erase your memories?"
Jed replied without hesitation. "I'm not sure of the exact reason, but that morning, the eldest daughter of the Martin family visited us. Perhaps the Black Guard wanted to erase the conversation we had."
"What did you discuss with the Martin heir?"
"Nothing special. She offered to show us around the city, but we declined, wanting to rest."
"And yet the Black Guard erased your memories?"
------
Scene: The Political Chessboard
"They don't know what was discussed," Zed's remark sent a ripple of unease through the room.
The implication was clear: Arahan and Martin were hiding something from the emperor.
The prime minister stepped forward, his tone measured.
"Your Majesty, rumors suggest Arahan and Martin have grown close."
"Close? Are they forming an alliance?"
"I cannot say for certain, but Martin's patriarch recently visited Arahan personally."
"Oh?"
"Your Majesty embodies the empire's balance and harmony. If Arahan is opening its doors after centuries of isolation, it could signal progress."
When the emperor pressed the ministers for opinions, they glanced at the prime minister before falling in line—a testament to his influence.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Arahan seems intent on rectifying past grievances."
Zed seized the moment to analyze the power dynamics:
The emperor doesn't fully control the palace.
Few ministers blindly obeyed him. Playing the benevolent ruler had its limits—he couldn't purge dissenters or appoint lackeys at will. Laws and consensus bound him.
The real power here is the prime minister.
The man had subtly aided Zed, though his motives remained unclear. With control over the ministers and access to classified intel, he stood as the emperor's sole counterweight.
"Interesting. Let's see if Arahan truly reforms," the emperor conceded, retreating.
Everyone knew Arahan opposed him, yet his withdrawal revealed weakness. Only 30% of the ministers openly supported him—the rest followed the prime minister.
He's focused on regaining strength. Once he does, dissenters won't matter.
Zed's eyes flicked to the emperor's status window:
[Recovery Rate: 39.2%]
It dropped overnight. From over 50% to this? No wonder he's desperate for the Black Dragon.
Unseen by all, Temud's dark flames simmered beneath the emperor's sun-marked armor.
Scene: Escape and Revelation
Thanks to the prime minister, Zed and Nunes exited the palace unscathed. Only at Oned's safehouse did Zed finally relax.
"Ugh—thought I'd die of nerves!" Nunes flopped onto a bed.
Zed shot him a look. This idiot almost blew our cover.
"Wait—why wasn't the memory spell lifted?" Nunes asked.
"It was. During the audience."
"When? I didn't notice!"
"That's how you lied so smoothly."
"Oh…!"
Nunes clapped, late to the realization.
"So it wasn't self-hypnosis?"
"What? Are you a hypnotist now?"
"Whoa… mind blown."
"You agreeing blindly is what's shocking. Bersha helped us—didn't you sense it?"
Zed grimaced. How did I entrust my life to this clueless fool?
"Look at my goosebumps. I'm done risking my neck with you."
"But the mission's over! Let's part ways."
"You're ditching me after squeezing me dry?"
"What 'juice'? Sell your conscience elsewhere."
"Zed, I thought we were friends!"
Friends? Never. Zed preferred allies like Eddie, Liu, or his sharp-witted mentor.
"Oned, book a gate. We're leaving."
"Already done. Depart by 9 AM tomorrow."
Nunes gaped. "What about me?"
"Goodbye, 'friend.'"
"No! I'm coming!"
A sudden tremor cut through the room—windows rattling, doors shaking.
Clang!
Nunes drew his sword, glaring at the door.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
"Not there," Zed muttered.
The presence loomed behind them.